Booker slams conversation about reparations: More than 'just a box to check' on a presidential list

Sen. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.) slammed the conversation surrounding reparations in the 2020 presidential election, saying that supporting reparations is more than “just a box to check” on a presidential list.

“Can I tell you why I’m frustrated and disappointed by this reparations conversation? It’s being reduced to a box to check on a presidential list, when this is so much more of a serious conversation,” Booker, a 2020 presidential candidate, said during a CNN town hall in Orangeburg, S.C.

ADVERTISEMENT

“So do I support legislation that is race conscious about balancing the economic scales? Not only do I support it, but I have legislation that actually does it,” he said before explaining his legislation.

Booker declined to state outright support for reparations.

Booker, who is black, went on to explain the ways in which “blacks were systematically excluded” from policies.

“So what I’m saying to you, and my frustration is we don’t have a way of addressing head-on in this country the persistence of racism, the persistence of white supremacy and implicit racial bias,” he said.

Booker’s fellow presidential hopefuls Sens. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro (D) have all said they support reparations to compensate African-Americans for slavery. 

Click Here: los jaguares argentina